Are you looking for a career where you work with your hands and fix things? If so, pursuing an HVAC career path may be right for you. HVAC technicians are needed to install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling equipment. They serve an essential role because this is Michigan, and we definitely need our furnaces in the winter and our air conditioners in the summer. HVAC technicians may troubleshoot systems, perform preventative maintenance, and replace faulty or broken equipment. The duties of an HVAC technician can vary from day to day, making an HVAC career path a great choice for those who don’t want to get bored on the job. Eager to learn more? Continue reading as we explain our 4 tips to prepare you for an HVAC career!
Learn more about HVAC training in Michigan!
Tip #1: Understand the Qualities an HVAC Technician Should Possess
Before you make the decision to devote your time to HVAC technician classes, you want to make sure that this is a field that you could see yourself working in. There are several important qualities an HVAC technician should possess. These include:
- Customer-service skills: HVAC technicians work with the public, so it is important that they have good customer service skills.
- Detail-oriented: HVAC technicians should be good with details. This is important in the technical aspects of their job (working with equipment) as well as any administrative tasks they need to perform (such as writing up work orders, bills, etc.).
- Mechanical skills: HVAC technicians should have good mechanical skills. After all, a key part of their role will be working with these systems on a daily basis.
- Physical stamina, strength, and agility: HVAC technicians will spend most of their day on their feet. Their role may also involve maneuvering in tight spaces, moving or lifting equipment. As a result, they should have good physical stamina, strength, and agility.
- Time-management skills: An HVAC technician may respond to several calls in any given day. As a result, they need to be efficient in how they manage their time.
- Troubleshooting skills: A key part of an HVAC technician’s job may be figuring out what is wrong and fixing it. As a result, they should have good troubleshooting skills.
If any of this sounds like you, an HVAC career path could be a good fit. To get started towards an HVAC career path, you will want to ensure you have the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful on the job. This can often be obtained through HVAC technician classes.
Tip #2: Think About Enrolling in HVAC Technician Classes
For those who want to pursue an HVAC career path, it is important to have the necessary knowledge and skills. HVAC equipment can be complex, and as we said before, we rely on it quite a bit to stay comfortable in our homes and workplaces throughout the year. As a result, for those who want to enroll in HVAC technician classes, it is important to have a good understanding of the benefits your training can offer. A career-focused training program could be exactly what you need to help you launch your HVAC career path. HVAC technician classes that focus on the skills needed to be successful on the job can help you learn and master what you need to know before you enter the field. Examples of HVAC technician classes that you may take as part of a program could include fundamentals of HVAC, electricity, refrigeration, and residential and commercial systems. Enrolling in HVAC technician classes as part of a training program can be beneficial for a number of reasons. The program can offer you a structured way of learning your new trade. In addition, the school you attend may be able to help you in other ways as you prepare to pursue your new HVAC career path.
Tip #3: Gain Hands-on Experience in the Field
In a hands-on career like that of an HVAC technician, it is extremely important to not only gain in-class instruction, but also real-world experience! Some of this can be achieved through your first position out of HVAC school, but wouldn’t it be great to have an opportunity to gain experience before your first HVAC job? Some HVAC training programs may include an externship. An externship can be beneficial for students. The externship can allow students to gain hands-on experience in the field. This type of experience is beneficial in launching your HVAC career path because you will have a chance to get added experience and exposure in the field while you are still in school. This added experience and exposure could serve you well in pursuing your HVAC career path once you graduate and could set you apart from others looking at the same types of HVAC jobs in Michigan.
Tip #4: Look into Potential Career Opportunities & the Job Outlook | HVAC Jobs in Michigan
Pursuing an HVAC career path could not only fulfill your desire to have a career that you enjoy, but you could also be entering a field that is both secure and in-demand. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (positions that can be filled by HVAC Systems Technician graduates) is projected to grow 13% from 2018 to 2028. ¹ If you are wondering about the outlook for HVAC jobs in Michigan, there is a positive projection here as well. According to the State of Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (positions that can be filled by HVAC Systems Technician graduates) is projected to grow 13.6% from 2016 to 2026. ² By pursuing your HVAC career path, you could have the chance at not only a rewarding career, but also one with a positive outlook when it comes to projected job growth.
Train Towards an HVAC Career Path at Dorsey Schools | HVAC training in Michigan
If you would like to begin your HVAC training in Michigan, Dorsey Schools can help you get on your way! The HVAC training offered at Dorsey Schools covers workplace skills and the HVAC basics. This includes electricity, home heating systems, refrigeration, central heat and air units, as well as residential and commercial systems. Additionally, topics such as blueprinting, system design and environmentally-friendly practices of weatherization and sustainability are taught. An externship is also included in the program allowing students an opportunity to put the skills and knowledge they have learned into practice. During the HVAC Systems Technician program, students will challenge the EPA Section 608 Type 2 Certification exam, which is generally required to work in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry.
The HVAC Systems Technician program is offered at the following Dorsey Schools campuses:
● Roseville, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
● Wayne, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
Pursuing your HVAC career path is within reach. Our team is aware of the time and effort it takes to transition to a new career path. This is why we have skillfully designed our program to be career-specific. This approach can be beneficial for those who would like to reskill or retrain towards a potential new career field. Our entire team here at Dorsey Schools is committed to helping each of our students get started on their new career path! Contact us today to learn how you can take the first step towards pursuing your HVAC career path.
Enroll in Dorsey Schools’ HVAC Systems Technician diploma program today!
Additional Items:
¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm (visited December 13, 2019).
² Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Long-Term Occupational Employment Projections (2016-2026) Michigan Statewide, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC Code: 49-9021), https://milmi.org/ (visited July 14, 2018).
